About

Dwarven Gold Fever

€12,311

pledged of €4,000 goal

117

backers

The aim of
this project is to produce a new Fantasy range of 28mm white metal dwarf
miniatures for collectors and for use in RPGs and table top wargames. The full
range will comprise of x metal miniatures as shown on this Kickstarter project
page.

The figures
have been sculpted by Igor Karpov, known for his work on the Ratnik/Lead
Adventure Bruegelburg, Post-Apocalyptic and Astropolis ranges.

PLEASE
NOTE: These miniatures are not toys and not recommended for children under 14
years of age. These miniatures may contain lead which may be harmful in case of
chewing or swallowing. All miniatures are supplied unpainted.

Beyond the realms of Men, far from the great trading city of Bruegelburg lie the domains of the Dwarfs – a collection of city-states, trading towns and mining villages spread across the foothills of the Hazy Highlands, a famed yet forbidding mountain range crossing the Old World from hyperborean reaches to the southern seas.

A great and
mighty people once, the industrious dwarfs used to rule these far and distant
lands. Great wars they fought against men and beasts alike, and in times of
peace, devoted themselves to craft, the arts of metallurgy and trade with those
they deemed worthy of their trust. Still a power to be reckoned with, they
secluded themselves in their lands as the humans’ rise to power gained
momentum. Dwarven trading caravans occasionally travel as far as Bruegelburg,
from where their goods are further shipped to the farthest ends of the earth.

Their
economy being dependent on raw materials, Dwarven prospectors often roam the
Hazy Highlands in search of mineral deposits to exploit. Young dwarfs, being
more focused on adventure than on honest craftsmanship, venture out on
adventures in the mountains, in search of deeds worthy to amuse their
descendants in years to come, and to gain fame and fortune to be found in
abandoned Dwarven holds of auld.

Once more,
a band of valiant dwarfs assembles. A collection of stout and sturdy men and
women prepare to set out on a bold adventure to the Highlands, assembling and equipping
to brave the challenges of nature, from thundering stream to cragged rock,
through the tunnels and caves beneath the peaks, with all that comes in the way
of bothersome beasts to vicious villains. For this time, the prize truly is a
worthy one – a map detailing the route to the long-lost holdfast of Kundûlbak has
surfaced! Legendary Kundûlbak – a great city of the auld days, famed for its
mineral-rich deposits, its vast vaults and halls of stone hewn into the
mountains, its treasure holds brimming with gold, gems and Dwarven artefacts.
Word has spread quickly of this discovery, and time is of the essence – the
greatest danger may not be the goblinfolk which dwell wherever Dwarven might
does not reach, but expeditions from other Dwarven communities, not to mention
the ever-adventurous humans. This expedition has an edge in that it shall set
out first – will it be able move fast enough to claim the mother lode?

The
Lorekeeper

Versed in
the ways of science, alchemy and mystery, the Lorekeeper is a respected and
well-established figure in dwarf society. Using his skills and secrets to
provide guidance and assess the value of the discoveries to be made, he is the
spiritual, if not actual leader of the adventuring party.

Hero A

The
Pathfinder

Having made
countless voyages across the Highlands and to the lands of men, the Pathfinder
knows his way to his target and out of a tight spot. Usually acting as advisor
to the Lorekeeper, in parties focused on adventure rather than prospecting, the
Pathfinder can just as well be the chosen leader.

Hero B

Keep your
Powder dry

Originally
a Dwarven invention, the musket has found great favour with humans as a weapon
of war and sport. Still, for rugged reliability and stopping power, nothing
beats the Dwarven musket, and despite the dangers associated with firing a
noisy weapon in enclosed surroundings, any self-respecting Dwarven expedition
with field a number of skilled musketeers to provide that certain edge against
more primitively-equipped foes.

Set #1

Dwarven Gold

Auri sacra fames – the old adage rings true in dwarf and man
alike, and little else warms the Dwarven heart more than hitting a gold lode. Care
must be taken not to ignore a nearby threat for the promise of a shiny bauble!

Set #2

A Light in
the Dark

As darkness
falls across the halls, it’s good to have a friend by your side – not to
mention a candle or two to show the way.

Set #3

Plucky
Dwarfs

The Dwarven
spirit is resolute and stubborn, and – especially in their younger years –
seasoned with adventurousness. Well-equipped for their journey, these dwarfs
are yet unfazed by the challenges to be faced.

Set #4

Dungeon Slayers

When in a
tight spot, make sure to bring a weapon – and the trusty spear is one that has
served Dwarvenkind through the aeons. Just watch out that the enemy doesn’t
have a longer stick!

Set #5

Rest Break

After a
day’s worth of travel, a well-deserved break is due. Given Dwarven ale and pipe
weed, relaxation is but a whiff away.

Set #6

Goblin
Bearers

In some of
the Dwarven lands of old, mischievous creatures have made their homes and prey
upon the unwary. But once defeated, they can be put to good use in carrying the
expedition’s supplies – just make sure they are fed and not the last in the
marching order!

Set #7

Look Alive!

Still,
sometimes those lazy goblinfolk need a bit of encouragement.

Set #8

Catacomb
Raiders

“Now, hold
that torch a little closer so I can read – NOT SO CLOSE! Darn you, you’ll singe
the map yet!”

Set #9

Dwarves on the
Road

Of sturdy
constitution, a dwarf can very well carry his or her own weight in supplies. On
expeditions beyond the trappings of civilization, this has proved useful time
and again.

Set #10

A Whisper
in the Shadows

It pays to
always be on your guard – many a critter cometh a-skitter across a passage
dark!

Set #11

Dwarven
King’s Tomb

Enshrining
the body of Vûrn the Adamant, mighty king in the waning days of Kundûlbak, this
sarcophagus has stood the test of time. For centuries, it rested undisturbed in
a tomb vault dedicated to the great king’s safe passage to the Halls of the
Beyond. Its boat-like shape evokes images of the great floating barges which used to carry ores, gems and travellers down to the trading ports in the halcyon days of the Dwarven realms, as well as memories of the burial pyre ships from the Dawning Age, when the Dwarfs had not yet settled down as masters of the mountains and sailed the mighty rivers and inland seas of the Old World.

Stories of the old days tell of the Lorekeepers and Runic Masters
engraving it with ancient inscriptions of great power, warding off intruders by
the mystic powers with which they were imbued.

Best not
disturb it, lest the king’s curse be upon us!

Dwarven King's Tomb

Some painted examples of the Dwarves from this Kickstarter

painted by Alex Bews

painted by Alex Bews

painted by Christian Schmal

painted by Christian Schmal

painted by Christian Schmal

painted by Christian Schmal

painted by Christian Schmal

painted by Christian Schmal

We are offering six pledge levels.

Hero Pledge

By choosing this pledge level you will receive the miniature of one of two available heroes of your choice (Lorekeepeer or Pathfinder)

Adventurer Pledge

By choosing this pledge level you will receive one Dwarf set of your choice

Adventurer Party Pledge

By choosing this pledge level you will receive three Dwarf sets of your choice

Dungeon Tour Pledge

By choosing this pledge level you will receive five Dwarf sets of your choice

Dwarfen Expedition Pledge

By choosing this pledge level you will receive all eleven Dwarf sets and both heroes

Dwarven King Pledge

By choosing this pledge level you will receive all eleven Dwarf sets, both heroes and the Dwarf King's Tomb

Dwarven High King Pledge

By choosing this pledge level you will receive all eleven Dwarf sets, both heroes, the Dwarf King's Tomb and all 46 dwarves of the previous range

Following feedback from our previous Kickstarter campaign, we have prepared various Stretch Goals and optional add-ons.

Tools of
the Trade

Any
self-respecting Dwarf prospector worth his salt will bring a supply of suitable
tools, and some spares to boot.

Busts

For Dwarf
Lords of lesser stature, busts were the effigy of choice. Keeping in memory the
likenesses of the forefathers, a collection of ancestor busts was among the
most prized possessions of any Dwarf clan.

Busts

Khûrl, Torchbearer

Those young dwarves not yet seasoned by adventure are usually given menial
tasks nonetheless crucial to the expedition. In the shadows of cavern, cave and
mineshaft, the torch must be kept in good care to avoid any unpleasant surprises
(and not to waste any, either - torches cost a fortune these days, young lad!)

Khûrl, Torchbearer

Treasures

Treasures

Statue

Hidden in a dark alcove, the explorers discovered an ancient statue. Was it crafted to ward off intruders, to celebrate the deeds and virtues of a mighty king, or to camouflage a secret passage to caverns deeper still?

Statue

A book, a backpack and tools

Everything a true adventurer needs!

Accessoires

Barra, Dwarven Prospectress

Having worked in the mines for many years, Barra has developed keen hearing to spot a whisper in the deeps and an eye for the earth to discern promising lodes of ore.

Barra, Dwarven Prospectress

Masha, Lorekeeper Novice

Chosen at a young age (for dwarves), both male and female dwarves train for decades to become a versed lorekeeper. Masha has just completed her first examinations and is now venturing out on her first expedition to gain experience under the tutelage of a Master Lorekeeper.

Masha, Lorekeeper Novice

Candelebra

In the days before the invention of the Ogrefish Oil Lamp (and the subsequent near-extinction of the species by overhunting), candles lit the halls of many a Dwarven estate.

Candelebra

At this place you can see the available add-ons and can pick up whatever you like. Just add the total of the extra stuff you'd like to buy to your pledge. After the campaign we will send a survey to you and you will be able to tell us which additional sets you paid for.

CLOSING WORD

And here we
are – following the great success of our previous Astropolis Kickstarter
Campaign, we are proud to present the latest creations from the talented hands
of Igor Karpov. Complementing our existing Dwarf range, these figures embody
Igor’s unique style and present a modern take on beloved classic themes. The
range aims at providing a variety of figures to create dwarf-only parties, or
to be used as reinforcements for classic fantasy assemblies; in design, they’ll
also work along the Bruegelburg line and allow for the creation of fresh and
entertaining combinations and variations of perennial favourites.

Risks and challenges

Risk is minimal. We are an experienced miniatures company who have operated successfully for more than five years and are well-known for our reliability. Our previous Kickstarter Campaign, Astropolis, was funded, produced and delivered well within the planned time schedule, and the experience gathered with this campaign was used to further improve our fulfilment process.
As illustrated by the pictures, the figures have already been sculpted. The master moulds are being already in production. If this project is funded, we can immediately initiate creation of the production moulds, so that we will be able to commence the initial production run right after completion of the Kickstarter. Based on previous experience with our suppliers, we expect the first miniatures to be delivered six to eight weeks following completion of the campaign. This means that you may already receive your figures as early as April, or by May 2017 at the latest. In any case, we will continuously publish updates on progress and project steps and milestones.